Determination of iron, chromium and nickel in stainless steel dedust ash by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with sample preparation by fusion

The X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of iron, chromium and nickel in stainless steel dedust ash was established with sample preparation by glass fusion piece method. The calibration curve was plotted using artificially synthesized samples. The preparation of sample fusion piece and the reliability of analytical results were investigated. The results showed that the fusion pieces with finishing surface and without visible crystal spot could be obtained under the following conditions: the sample was fused in platinum- gold crucible (w(Pt):w(Au)=95 %:5 %); the ammonium nitrate and sodium peroxide were used as oxidant; the ammonium bromide was used as release agent; the lithium tetraborate was the flux; the dilution ratio was 1:30; the reagents were laid in the crucible in the order of lithium tetraborate, ammonium nitrate, sample, sodium peroxide and lithium tetraborate; the mixture was fused at 600°C for 10 min; then, ammonium bromide was added; the mixture was finally fused in fusion machine for 15 min. Moreover, the crucible was not corroded. The iron, chromium and nickel in fusion piece were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry under the selected conditions. The results were compared. It showed that the results found by this method were consistent with those obtained by wet method. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for iron, chromium and nickel were 0.30 %, 0.87 % and 1.4%, respectively.